Twice the Temptation by Suzanne Enoch Read Free Book Online Page A

away for cannon shot.”
     
      “And before Wellington could burn them and Paris to the ground. A bold move, Conn. And a brave one. You’ve saved some very significant pieces.”
     
      “The bother of it all is that now I’ll have to open my own gallery or something. I’ve room for some of them at Rawley Park, but this is ridiculous. They can’t stay in the hallway. Winters nearly broke his neck on a Rembrandt this morning.”
     
      “You could loan them to the British Museum. Anonymously, of course, since traipsing about France isn’t very popular at the moment—even for a just cause.”
     
      A museum loan. He’d actually considered it, but hearing Ivey second the notion gave the idea more credence. “You know, I think I may do that.” Connoll cleared his throat, not particularly eager to hear Lewis’s surprise, but knowing he was expected to be curious. “Have we built enough anticipation? Because I’m getting a bit hungry, and if you’re not going to divulge anything, my frustration will sit better on a full stomach.”
     
      “Very well.” Ivey drew a breath. “After you left London I met someone. A lady. We’ve seen quite a bit of one another over the past few weeks, though because her husband died just over a year ago I’ve been keeping her identity a secret—you know what damage courting too soon can do to a lady’s reputation.”
     
      “Yes, I know. And?” Connoll prompted.
     
      “Well, a few days ago I asked her to marry me. She said yes.”
     
      Connoll made himself smile. “Well done, Ivey. Congratulations.” He lifted an eyebrow. “You are going to tell me her identity eventually, aren’t you? Sooner or later I’m bound to figure it out.”
     
      The earl laughed. “I suppose it’s safe now. Daisy Applegate. Lady Applegate.”
     
      “Soon to be Lady Ivey.” Connoll offered his hand. “I’ve met her. She’s lovely. And you two are well suited, I think. You’ve made a good match, Lewis.”
     
      “Thank you. She makes me very happy.”
     
      “I can see that.”
     
      “Yes, well, now we must find a chit for you.”
     
      With a snort Connoll headed back down the stairs. “They say a happily married man is the worst sort of matchmaker. You leave me be.”
     
      “For the moment, then.”
     
      Despite his protest, the image of a chit did cross histhoughts, and it wasn’t Daisy Applegate, thank God, but a young lady with hazel eyes and a very high opinion of herself. A lady with whom he meant to dance tonight at Almack’s, whether she admitted to wanting to see him there or not.
     
       
     
      A blast of warm air hit Connoll as he strolled into Almack’s main assembly room. Generally he would rather eat ants than spend an evening at Mayfair’s tamest venue, but he’d promised—or threatened, actually—to be there.
     
      As he rounded a flock of debutantes, he spied Evangeline standing with her mother and a tall man who looked to be her father. His pulse stirred. Whatever the devil had happened to him during that carriage accident, Gilly Munroe had seized his attention and refused to let go.
     
      “For heaven’s sake, John,” Lady Munroe was saying, her tone impatient, “with you skulking about, no gentlemen will approach Gilly. Please just go stand elsewhere and try to look interesting.”
     
      “I’m on my way, Heloise. May I fetch you a lemonade?” the viscount returned mildly.
     
      “No. Be sensible, will you? If you fetch us anything, you give gentlemen one less excuse to approach.”
     
      Hm. The mother’s tirade explained several things about the daughter. Increasing his pace, Connoll reached the Munroes before the viscount could make himself scarce. “Good evening,” he drawled, keeping his gaze on the family’s patriarch despite the keen desire to look into sharp hazel eyes.
     
      “My lord,” the viscountess returned when Gilly kept silent. “You are as good as your word, I